Christmas Day in Kyoto (December 25, 2019)

After getting a good night's rest on our tatami, we were ready for our first breakfast for the day. Before we left Tokyo, we purchased Michelin' grade instant noodle from 7-Eleven. That morning, we indulged the noodles as our course breakfast. 

First breakfast course

MM taking it down

GG doing it the right way

After our first course of the Michelin grade instant noodle, we were ready for our Kaiseki breakfast. 

Start of our Kaiseki breakfast

A visual and gastronomic feast

After our breakfast, we were ready to start our full day of exploring in Kyoto. Our destinations were the top of the Fushimi Inari Shrine and the Gion area. But before we set out to hike, we had our post-breakfast snack at Starbucks: waffle and Matcha Latte. 

MM get going in town

But not before getting the post breakfast snack - Starbucks waffle

Taking the Keihan Line to Fushimi Inari

We were distracted by several food stalls before we could make it to the main entrance of the hike. We sampled a few local flavors and slowly started the ascend. 

Endless food stalls

Must try some

At the main shrine before the hike

Start the of the hike

Endless offering gates leading to the top of the mountain

City comes into view about half way up the hike

GG helping me with the dolly out shot

Stopping for a quick pose

Pleasantly reaching the top of the hike

"The Shot"

The orange-red gates (torri) are mesmerizing

Back down at the hustle and bustle of the main shrine area

Can't leave without getting more snack

Finally passing the food alley before we head back to Kyoto city proper

But not before getting one more snack

Reaching the metro stop to go back to Kyoto proper

The fox can be seen at the metro station symbolizing the Inari

After getting back to Kyoto proper, Joanne had located a great place for udon. We took our lunch a small restaurant called Myoudai Omen Shijo Pontochoand; the food as well as the display was phenomenal. We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch and explored the Nishiki Market before hading back to Gion. 

Back at Kyoto proper

Back in the hustle and bustle of the city

Udon set meal at Myoudai Omen Shijo Pontocho, hand made Saba sushi

Tempura

Hand made udon

Getting to business

Gyudon

Exploring the Nishiki Market after our great lunch

Matcha ice cream is a must

Endless stalls at the market

Maybe we'll try this one

Ok we're trying this one

At the market

Toursity items

Lots of snack items

Donuts look good

Items beautifully displayed

Locals young men and women dressed in kimono

Getting back to Gion from Kyoto proper

After spending good part of our day in Kyoto, we wanted to spend more time in the Gion area because it is such a unique place. To properly explore we decided to be part of the scene by dressing the kids up in kimonos. We located Kimono Salon Kyo Sakura nearby our hotel and began the dressing process. 

Where do we start?

GG getting fitted for kimono

Everything is an art form

Gotta have the right socks

MM's turn

Looks ok?

All about the detail

Now the hair

Getting there

MM's turn

Got the head piece

No dress up for mom

All done and ready to hit the town

Short pit stop at our hotel room

GG's turn to pose

Hotel court yard

In front of the Temple but I cannot feel my face

Try smiling

Let's move

Mango soft serve to go with it

Making our way around

"The Shot"

Some hot mochi

I can't smile anymore

Isn't this fun?

Headshot

Head shot with the G9XII

Trying some soap

At the same store

Finally getting my matcha latte

Need some electronic catch up time

Orange smoothee

Gion in the evening

Sampling more matcha and mochi

Braken and tea for dinner, great way to end the night

After returning the kimono, we managed to spot a Geisha secretly slipping into an establishment from a taxi. This was later in the evening so most of the tourists had already left the area. 

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